British Airways vs. BASSA (Airline Staff Only)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sussex
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
PC 767
Just to be clear, there hasn't been a single additional cancellation outside of the initial list since the strike began, so BA is extremely well placed based on its initial plan. From a number of our own experiences, it's clear however that BA has more resource available than required to fly the current schedule and my frustration is that it doesn't expand the operation to make use of those willing to work.
Just to be clear, there hasn't been a single additional cancellation outside of the initial list since the strike began, so BA is extremely well placed based on its initial plan. From a number of our own experiences, it's clear however that BA has more resource available than required to fly the current schedule and my frustration is that it doesn't expand the operation to make use of those willing to work.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lalaland
Age: 55
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 64K
Once again, some disgusting and unprofessional behaviour from BASSA. Their open topped bus has been going past a hotel at Heathrow, used by BA crew, other airline crew and the public, at slow speed with chants of 'SCABBIN CREW'. How mature - I'm sure this will earn support from those trying to rest...!
Here's a comment from The Sun yesterday which sums it up nicely -
BA cabin crew partied in the sun as thousands of travellers faced misery | The Sun |News
BA cabin crew partied in the sun yesterday - as thousands of travellers faced misery. Picket-line strikers wore fancy dress, blew whistles and did the CONGA, in full view of Heathrow passengers.
Flag-waving staff circled the airport in an open-top bus, while in a nearby field a mini CARNIVAL was held - with a marquee, balloons and workers' kids enjoying the sun.
IT expert Andy Patterson, whose flight to Geneva was cancelled, said: "Picketers were sun-bathing, swigging drinks and dancing. Women were dressed like they were at a hen party. I was disgusted."
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: UK
Age: 59
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BentleyH - like you I also hope that the cancellations would decrease with the growing numbers of CC turning up to work. I would think, though, the first flight to be cancelled 'on the day' will be greeted with headlines and glee from the parts of the press that claim to be even-handed but aren't (BBC anyone?) and so the planners are being ultra-cautious. I would love to see a 100% LH programme announced, though - perhaps this will happen in the final 5 day strike.
I'm looking forward to working over the Bank Holiday and make no bones about my job as a 'Backing BA' volunteer, which is to undermine the strikers and, selfishly, to ensure I have a job in 12 months time.
Ll
I'm looking forward to working over the Bank Holiday and make no bones about my job as a 'Backing BA' volunteer, which is to undermine the strikers and, selfishly, to ensure I have a job in 12 months time.
Ll
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latest from Duncan Holley
The media are turning, mainly because they cannot believe this strike is still ongoing for the simple reason he wants to "punish" strikers. I have spoken over the last few days to every media outlet available (except the Daily Mail) and they are horrified. Even the Daily Telegraph said to me last night - "the problem is Walsh you know". Hello?
The media are turning, mainly because they cannot believe this strike is still ongoing for the simple reason he wants to "punish" strikers. I have spoken over the last few days to every media outlet available (except the Daily Mail) and they are horrified. Even the Daily Telegraph said to me last night - "the problem is Walsh you know". Hello?
I remember years back to when I had the good fortune to attend a course on dealing with the press which was tutored by some of Fleet streets finest hacks. Their take on newspaper journolism followed, roughly, this:
The newspaper journilist is, will be and always will be your 'bestest' buddy if you are an ordinary Joe Public or minor official who holds no power or public voice. They will agree to everything you say, accept your viewpoint and sympathise with your stance. They will press you to explain whilst stoking your anger/emotions in order to try to make you lose control and provide information you possibly didn't want to divulge. Once they have plumbed the depths of your position and garnered every sound bite, information morsel and scoop they can they will conclude the interview.
What they write in the piece afterwards very, very rarely resembles what you thought you said in the interview or what you believed their opinion on your stance was. All told, from the Fleet street hacks themselves, stick purely to facts, don't employ rhetoric and keep calm when dealing with the press.
Good luck Mr Holley, it seems you have messed up on your media course in the same way you did at BA. Hope your attendence record at Unite is better than your last one.
I await the future press releases with unreserved glee.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: West of LHR
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
WW gave a presentation at Waterside today. No major news, apart from new fleet recruitment will start soon.
Meanwhile over on the BASSA forum, they thought today was the day WW was going to announce he was moving on from BA.
Dixie
Meanwhile over on the BASSA forum, they thought today was the day WW was going to announce he was moving on from BA.
Dixie
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GMiss M, how dare you accuse those of us who have gone in to work of being spineless.
(On Blackberry so cannot start new line, so fogive the unusual formatting of this post)
Coming into work on a strike day is a scary and difficulkt thing to do. Largely because the decision is such an important one and there is always an element of doubt in any sane person's mind as to whether what they have done is right. But also because, while I won't shout names at you, ignore you on flights, leave notes in your dropfile, threaten and intimidate you for having gone on strike, it is a very real prospect for those who have gone to work that they may endure all of the above at the hands of our striking colleagues.
I have always said i respect the decision of those who have gone on strike. I have defended those people on here in the face of criticism from people who should often keep their noses out - i just wonder why the same luxury cannot be afforded to those of us who, like you, have made a personal decision - albeit a different one to your own.
(On Blackberry so cannot start new line, so fogive the unusual formatting of this post)
Coming into work on a strike day is a scary and difficulkt thing to do. Largely because the decision is such an important one and there is always an element of doubt in any sane person's mind as to whether what they have done is right. But also because, while I won't shout names at you, ignore you on flights, leave notes in your dropfile, threaten and intimidate you for having gone on strike, it is a very real prospect for those who have gone to work that they may endure all of the above at the hands of our striking colleagues.
I have always said i respect the decision of those who have gone on strike. I have defended those people on here in the face of criticism from people who should often keep their noses out - i just wonder why the same luxury cannot be afforded to those of us who, like you, have made a personal decision - albeit a different one to your own.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Pogles Wood
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A lone voice?
Not sure how other folk on here feel, but, on viewing the pathetic and puerile behaviour of these (unprintable words), I really do not wish for them to return within the employment of British Airways. To know that I'll be working within the same company as such morons, knowing of such disloyal militant behaviour that could flare up again over goodness knows what.
I've always had sympathy for those that have lost their jobs, houses etc, families struggling through no fault of their own, absolutely heartbreaking and would'nt wish unemployment on anyone.
But these load of (unprintable) who think the company owe them a living, stick their fingers up at all those that have done so much (working for free etc) to help the airline in its dire need, should not be back within the employment of BA. I'm dam angry, imagine how those who have lost their jobs must feel.
Just hope this concludes without the return of the afforementioned.
I've always had sympathy for those that have lost their jobs, houses etc, families struggling through no fault of their own, absolutely heartbreaking and would'nt wish unemployment on anyone.
But these load of (unprintable) who think the company owe them a living, stick their fingers up at all those that have done so much (working for free etc) to help the airline in its dire need, should not be back within the employment of BA. I'm dam angry, imagine how those who have lost their jobs must feel.
Just hope this concludes without the return of the afforementioned.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Camp X-Ray
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
At the update in Waterside today Willie stated that New Fleet recruitment would begin soon. With staff travel gone forever a large number of commuters are going to be looking for new jobs soon, so I suspect some of the worst militants will be removed from BA by that natural wastage.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 644
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Regarding the above from HandSolo, has Mr. Walsh commented again on staff travel since the start of the new strikes to confirm that even his compromise of seniority-free staff travel has now been fully revoked?
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Sussex
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
He did say it would be revoked for good if there were any more strikes....as they are currently on strike again, I guess that's it then!
I though Laurel and Hardy were due a visit to Bedfont today to stoke up the troops?? Or was it just so Simpson could send another pathetic tweet?
Maybe their train has broken down again or something?
I though Laurel and Hardy were due a visit to Bedfont today to stoke up the troops?? Or was it just so Simpson could send another pathetic tweet?
Maybe their train has broken down again or something?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Woodley and Simpson at Bedfont today from the BBC:
BBC News - BA strike: British Airways and Unite to resume talks
BBC News - BA strike: British Airways and Unite to resume talks
Join Date: May 2010
Location: maidenhead
Posts: 941
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alot of you seem to be wondering why the flying programme cannot be increased.
Although there are alot of crew reporting, alot of the pilots on the 747 and airbus are the volunteers. So there would have to be alot of crew, who did strike, return to work first for the programme to be increased. Or more non pilot volunteers to be trained up and I think this is happening now.
For example on eurofleet there are less pilots because some of them are the volunteers.
Spoke to Bill Francis yesterday and he said that they would increase the programme but only when they are sure that they can crew the flight. They do not want unhappy people in the terminal talking to the media about cancelled flights.
Although there are alot of crew reporting, alot of the pilots on the 747 and airbus are the volunteers. So there would have to be alot of crew, who did strike, return to work first for the programme to be increased. Or more non pilot volunteers to be trained up and I think this is happening now.
For example on eurofleet there are less pilots because some of them are the volunteers.
Spoke to Bill Francis yesterday and he said that they would increase the programme but only when they are sure that they can crew the flight. They do not want unhappy people in the terminal talking to the media about cancelled flights.
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: UK
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apparently 76% of crew turned up to work today.
And latest from BA:
May 30-June 3 schedule
We will be increasing our flying schedule during Unite’s threatened five day strike (May 30, 31 and June 1, 2, 3) after more cabin crew than expected decided to work as normal during this week’s industrial action.
Our Heathrow longhaul schedule will be increased to more than 70 per cent of flights (up from more than 60 per cent this week). Our Heathrow shorthaul schedule will increase to more than 55 per cent of flights (up from more than 50 per cent this week). We will continue to fly to every shorthaul destination on our network.
Services from Gatwick and London City airports will continue to operate as normal.
And latest from BA:
May 30-June 3 schedule
We will be increasing our flying schedule during Unite’s threatened five day strike (May 30, 31 and June 1, 2, 3) after more cabin crew than expected decided to work as normal during this week’s industrial action.
Our Heathrow longhaul schedule will be increased to more than 70 per cent of flights (up from more than 60 per cent this week). Our Heathrow shorthaul schedule will increase to more than 55 per cent of flights (up from more than 50 per cent this week). We will continue to fly to every shorthaul destination on our network.
Services from Gatwick and London City airports will continue to operate as normal.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Lalaland
Age: 55
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alot of you seem to be wondering why the flying programme cannot be increased.
Other points from the forum are -
Willie is predicting an end to the dispute soon.
The letter sent to Unite yesterday concerning preserving evidence is not about appealing the judge's refusal of an injunction, BA's lawyers are looking into what course of action if any can be taken, as there could still be a court case into whether the strike was legal or not.
Willie said that he was going from the forum to talks with Woodley, he added that we'd probably be able to read the results via twitter anyway!
He also mentioned Woodley's offer to give strikers back unconditional staff travel and Unite would suspend the strike as ridiculous, unite could then go back to the negotiations without actually agreeing anything, a position that we should have been at 15 months ago'.
Last edited by Meal Chucker; 26th May 2010 at 17:02.
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Camp X-Ray
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found this particular bit of speculation from one of the Bedfont loonies highly amusing:
Just shows you what we're dealing with!
Just back from Bedfont as well.
The skies were pretty empty of BA planes til it was announced that Messrs. Woodley and Simpson had arrived....all of a sudden there was a flurry of BA departures...all seeming to be full throttle departures, as the few other a/c departing were far quieter and LOWER than the BA a/c.
Were I a conspiracy theorist, I would use this opportunity to suggest, that BA had planned this rapid and close flurry of departures to take place at that appointed moment.
The skies were pretty empty of BA planes til it was announced that Messrs. Woodley and Simpson had arrived....all of a sudden there was a flurry of BA departures...all seeming to be full throttle departures, as the few other a/c departing were far quieter and LOWER than the BA a/c.
Were I a conspiracy theorist, I would use this opportunity to suggest, that BA had planned this rapid and close flurry of departures to take place at that appointed moment.